Junior Chamber members meet with Sheriff Rick Staly, propose appreciation event for school deputies

Junior Chamber of Commerce members met with the sheriff on Oct. 17 to share ideas and concerns.

By Valentina Mondragon, Junior Chamber of Commerce Correspondent
| 4:50 p.m. November 17, 2023

Sheriff Rick Staly, Jasmine Coach, Valentina Mondragon and Greg Blosé. Courtesy photo

Palm Coast Observer
Neighbors

The Junior Chamber of Commerce spoke with Sheriff Rick Staly on Tuesday, Oct. 17, discussing problems that we see in Flagler County.

Jasmine Coach, a senior at Flagler Palm Coast High School, presented an idea to Sheriff Staly.

Coach rides her bike to school and has noticed that few drivers stop for students at the intersection of Belle Terre Parkway and State Road 100.

Jasmine Coach and Valentina Mondragon meet with Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly. Courtesy photo

Coach wanted to see if there could be more signage at the intersection so that students could cross safely and carefully to their school.

Coach asked Staly, and he said, "It is not in my power to do that. It is the state’s decision; they would have to change the law.”

I am a sixth grader at Indian Trails Middle School, and I proposed an appreciation event for school resource deputies all around Flagler County.

“I think that’s a great idea; I think they’ll love that,” Staly said.

“We can buy lunch for them, breakfast, or a care package with their favorite snacks,” I said.

“We cannot do the lunch or breakfast, because I can’t take all the School Resource Deputies out of the school because I cannot leave the school unprotected,” Staly said.

The date of the appreciation event has not been decided.

Staly gave Coach and me advice for our dreams and a bright future.

“If you work hard enough and put a lot of effort into your dreams, then they will come true,” Staly said. "Thank you for your service to all people who put their life on the line to protect our community."